Suction tool for vacuum cleaners



July 26, 1960 e. M. KELLY 2,946,079

SUCTION TOOL FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Sept. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 z 9 m L s g, g.

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sucnow TOOL FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Sept. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 32521102" I George M. Kelly 5 M/n fizz- 15 SUCTION TOOL FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Sept. 16, 1957, Ser. No. 684,220

6 Claims. (Cl. 15-371) The present invention constitutes an improvement over the disclosure contained in my earlier issued Patent 2,635,279, issued April 21, 1953. In that patent, thereis disclosed a cleaning tool wherein a surface cleaning member such as a brush, is adjustably positioned with respect to the working face of the tool.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a suction tool having an adjustable brush assembly is provided which is constructed of a reduced number of simplified parts which can be conveniently and economically fabricated and assembled with a reduced number of fastening means.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of. the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a suction tool incorporating the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool shown in Figure 1 illustrating additional details of construction of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view with parts shown in elevation and with parts broken away taken generally on line IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the suction tool of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the cover and the brush assembly removed to show additional details of construction.

As shown on the drawings:

The suction tool of the present invention comprises three main parts, namely, a body part 10, a cover part 11, and an intermediate or partition part 12.

The body part conveniently comprises a main casting having a tubular portion 13 particularly characterized by the provision of a generally cylindrical bore 14 having formed therein detent grooves 16 operatively cooperative with the wand of a suction cleaner such as a tank-.

type or canister-type vacuum cleaner.

The body part 10 is further characterized by a generally trough-shaped nozzle portion 17 having oppositely extending laterally directed walls 18 and 19, which walls extend in opposite lateral directions from the tubular portion 13. As shown in Figure 5, the walls 18 and 19 are generally parallel to one another and are connected by end walls 20 and 21-. There is thus defined between the walls 18 and 19 an enlarged cavity which is generally trough-shaped in cross-section and which is open at the medial portion of one side in register with the bore 14 of the tubular portion 13.

Formed as an integral part of the casting comprising the body part 10 is an upstanding wall 22 having a long leg 23 extending parallel and spaced from the wall 19,

United States Patent there being further provided curved end portions 24 and 25 which curve back and extend in a direction parallel to the long leg 23 to a terminal transverse boss indicated at 26 at one end of the tool and at 27 at the other end of the tool. The bosses 26 and 27 merge with the wall 18. Thus, a generally C-shaped recess 28 is separated from the main cavity provided between the walls 18 and 19.

The main body part 10 is further characterized by the formation therein of integral boss portions 29 and 30 which form flaring extensions at opposite sides of the tubular bore 14. Each of the Wall-like boss portions 29 and 30 is provided with a shouldered recess 31 and 32, respectively, thereby to provide a flat abutment surface in a generally horizontal plane.

In accordance with the principles of the present inven' tion, an intermediate or middle partition part 12 is provided which conveniently constitutes a stamping. The configuration of the partition part 12 will be noted upon referring to Figures 2, 3 and 5. Thus, there is provided an elongated longitudinal wall portion 33 reversely bent as at 34 to provide a smooth terminal edge. The longitudinal wall 33 merges through a curved portion 36 with an oflset portion 37 which in cross-section is shaped to provide a gently curving wall terminating in an edge 38 having a curvature similar to the curvature of the terminal end of the bore 14 indicated at 39. At the edges of the offset portion 37, there is provided flat flanges 40 and 41 which abut and seat against the adjoining abutting surfaces provided by the recesses 31 and 32 of the upstanding wall-like boss portions 29 and 30. The terminal edge 38 is received in the cylindrical band 39 under the wall 18 and the partition part 12 is further retained in firm assembly with the body part 10 by tongue and groove means which facilitate sliding insertable assembly of the two parts. In-this regard, reference is conveniently made to Figure 5 and it will be noted that a slot 42 is formed in the boss 26 and a slot 43 is formed in the boss 27, each of which being adapted to slidably receive and confine a tongue or flange 44 or 46, as provided on opposite ends of the longitudinal wall 33 of the partition part 12. After sliding inserting assembly of the partition part 12 into the body part 10 asthus provided, the partition part 12 is secured against lateral displacement and assists in forming within the generally trough-shaped cavity a suction compartment 45 which communicates with the bore 14 of the tubular portion 13.

Each of the bosses 26 and 27 in the recess 28 is particularly characterized by the provision therein of a threaded opening 47 and 48, respectively. The threaded openings 47 and 48 receive in threaded assembly therewith a fastening screw '49 and a fastening screw 50 which, pass through corresponding apertures in the cover part 11, thereby to retain the cover part in assembly with the body part 10. Moreover, the cover part is particularly characterized by the provision of means forming a flat working surface 51. The cover part 11 conveniently comprises a die casting appropriately flanged to provide an outer peripheral wall 52 registering with the wall 19 of the body part and inner wall portions including a long leg 53 registering with the long leg 23 of the body part 10 and including at opposite ends curved portions 54 which terminate in boss portions 56 in register with the boss portions 26 and 27. The transversely extending portion of the bosses 56, as shown in Figure 2, is slotted in the same manner as at 42 and 43 in the body. part, thereby to operatively cooperate with the flanges 44 and 46 of the partition part 12 for securely locking the partition part 12 in firm assembly within the nozzle.

Interposed between the body part 10 and the. cover part 11' is a plastic gasket having an irregular shapein cross-section and indicated generally at 55. The gasket 55 not only effects sealing between the parts-butalso 3 forms a resilient bumper extending around the suction tool to enhance the aesthetic appearance and the utilitarian effectiveness thereof.

Betweenthe confines of the partition part 12 and the ,boss portions 26 and 27 and the wall portions 18, there is provided a brush compartment partially closed by the cover part 11. The cover part 11 is particularly characterized by an elongated opening 60 which is coextensive in length with the partition part 12, the opposite side of the elongated opening 60 being prescribed by .a wall portion 61 formed as an integral part of the "cover part 11.

Within the brush compartment, which is indicated at 62 on Figure and on Figure 3 is provided an adjustable brush assembly.

First of all, there is provided as an integral part of the body part 10, a pair of spaced bosses 63 and 64. As shown in Figures 2 and '5, the bosses 63 and 64 are provided with centrally disposed recesses as at 66 to bottom a coil spring 67. The walls of the bosses 63 and 64 are slotted as at 68, thereby to provide a sliding guideway for receiving and guiding an elongated brush indicated generally at 70 and including a rigid support portion '71 carrying a row of projecting bristles on the end of a lever arm 79 of a positioning member The positioning member 80 is threaded onto an adjusting screw 81 having journal ends 82 and 83. The partition part 12 is dimpled as at 84 to provide a bearing cavity 86, while the cover part 12 is provided with an annular boss 87 forming a bearing cavity 88, thereby to bearingly engage the opposite journal ends 82 and 83 of the adjusting screw 81.

A disk-shaped operating flange 90 is connected in corotatable assembly with the adjusting screw 81 as at 91. The cover part includes a slotted opening 92 through which the operating flange 90 extends so that a portion of the flange 90 is in an accessible position outside of the nozzle for engagement by an operator. Accordingly, by selective rotation of the flange 90 and hence the screw 81, the positioning member 80 will be reciprocated to selectively adjust the brush 70 against the bias of the coil springs 67 which tend to continuously urge the brush outwardly of the working face 51. Accordingly, the brush may be selectively positioned with respect to the position of the bristles 72 and the working face 51.

The bristles 72 project outwardly of the working face 51 through the elongated opening 60 immediately adjacent a suction slot 100 formed in the working face Appropriate tangs 99 are formed between the body and cover parts 10 and 11 to lock against relative movement and the entire assembly is in retained and proper operative relationship with only the two screws 49 and Although various minor modifications might be suggested by-those versed in the art, it should be understood that-l wish to embody within the scope of the patent 'warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution opposite sides of said tubular portion, a stamped partition part received in said body member part and dividing the trough-shaped portion into a suction compartment communicating with said tubular portion and a separate brush compartment, said body member part having a pair of upstanding recessed bosses inwardly adjacent opposite ends of said brush compartment, a coil spring bottomed in each of said bosses, each of said bosses being slotted to form a sliding guideway, a brush member having its opposite ends inserted and confined in said sliding guideways of said bosses and being biased outwardly by said springs, and a cover fastened to said body member part and overlying said partition part, said cover having a recessed working face through which said brush extends, said partition part forming together with said cover a suction slot immediately adjacent said brush member and in register with said suction com- .partment, an adjustment member comprising a screw "bearingly bottomed at opposite ends against said-par- ,tition'part and said cover and having a flange extending radially outwardly between said body member part and said cover into an accessible position, a positioning member threadedly carried on said screw and being offset on the end of a lever arm extending away from the axis of said screw, said lever arm having an acutely bent portion on its free end and further including offset wings oppositely spaced on said bent portion, said brush having at its center portion a clip securely fastened thereto, said clip having a struck out rib extending upwardly and outwardly from said clip and terminating in ,an outer leg portion bent at an angle to be received between said wings and overlying said acutely bent portion of said lever arm, thereby to restrict the lateral movement of the brush while permitting adjustment in the direction of the axis of said screw to effect adjustable positioning of said brush relative to said working face against the bias of said springs and fastening means between said cover and said body part to retain all'of the components in firm assembly with one another.

2. A suction tool comprising a body part having a tubular portion and a trough-shaped nozzle portion integral therewith, a cover part detachably secured to said nozzle portion and having a working face, a partition part confined between said cover and said body part and having a first portion forming together with said body part .a flaring mouth for said tubular portion and a second portion offset from said first portion and forming together with means including the trough-shaped portion of said body a suction compartment and a brush compartment, and a brush assembly in said brush compartment comprising a screw bearingly confined at opposite ,ends between said first portion of said partition part and said cover part, a positioning member threaded to said screw, and being offset on the end of a lever arm extending away from the axis of said screw, said lever arm having an acutely bent portion on its free end and further including oflset wings oppositely spaced on said bent portion, and a brush having at its center portion a clip ,securely fastened thereto, said clip having a struck out rib extending upwardly and outwardly from said clip and terminating in an outer leg portion bent at an angle to be received between said wings and overlying said acutely bent portion of said lever arm, thereby to restrict the lateral movement of the brush while permitting adjustment in the direction of the axis of said screw, said brush extending outwardly through said working face, said body part having recessed bosses adjacent opposite ends of said brush compartment, said bosses being slotted to form sliding guideways receiving corresponding opposite ends of said brush to guide said brush for confined adjustment movement relative to said working face, each said boss having a coil spring therein to bias said brush outwardly of said working face, said screw having a flange projecting out of said tool between said cover part and said body part to effect adjustable positioning of said brush member relative to said working face.

3. In a suction tool, a nozzle comprising a body part having a tubular portion with opposite lateral extensions forming a trough-shaped portion, a cover part providing a working face extending across said trough-shaped portion and a partition part comprising an elongated longitudinal wall portion extending through said trough-shaped portion towards said working face and merging through a curved portion with an angularly olfset portion shaped in cross-section to terminate in an edge having a curvature similar to and received in said tubular portion of said body part, said partition part and said body part having engaging surfaces at the periphery of said partition part and together forming a suction compartment having a suction slot in said working face, tongue and groove means between said partition part and said body part at the end of said longitudinal wall portion affording slidable insertable assembly of said partition part and said body part, thereby to separably partition the nozzle into a suction compartment and an adjoining brush compartment, two screws extending between said cover part and said body part to retain the nozzle components, including the partition part, in firm assembly with one another, an elongated brush in said brush compartment, and brushadjustment means including an adjusting screw and bearing cavities in said partition part and in said cover part to bearingly engage and confine opposite ends of said adjusting screw, a positioning member threadedly carried on said adjusting screw and being offset on the end of a lever arm extending away from the axis of said screw, said lever arm having an acutely bent portion on its free end and further including offset wings oppositely spaced on said bent portion, said elongated brush having at its center portion a clip securely fastened thereto, said clip having a struck out rib extending upwardly and outwardly from said clip and terminating in an outer leg portion bent at an angle to be received between said wings and overlying said acutely bent portion, thereby to restrict the lateral movement of the elongated brush in said brush compartment while permitting adjustment relative to said working face.

4. In a suction nozzle, an adjusting screw, a positioning member threadedly carried on said screw and being ofifset on the end of a lever arm extending away from the axis of said screw, said lever arm having an acutely bent portion on its free end and further including offset wings oppositely spaced on said bent portion, and an elongated brush having at its center portion a clip securely fastened thereto, said clip having a struck out rib extending upwardly and outwardly from said clip and terminating in an outer leg portion bent at an angle to be received between said wings and overlying said acutely bent portion of said lever arm, thereby to restrict the lateral movement of the brush while permitting adjustment in the direction of the axis of said screw.

5. In a suction nozzle, a trough shaped body part and a cover part secured thereto having a working face thereon, and a partition part slidably inserted into said body part and retained in assembly by said cover part to divide the nozzle into a suction compartment with a suction slot in said working face and a brush compartment adjacent said suction slot, an elongated brush in said brush compartment, and brush adjustment means including an adjusting screw and bearing cavities in said partition part and in said cover part to bearingly engage and confine opposite ends of said adjusting screw, a positioning member threadedly carried on said adjusting screw and being offset on the end of a lever arm extending away from the axis of said screw, said lever arm having an acutely bent portion on its free end and further including offset wings oppositely spaced on said bent portion, said elongated brush having at its center portion a clip securely fastened thereto, said clip having a struck out rib extending upwardly and outwardly from said clip and terminating in an outer leg portion bent at an angle to be received between said Wings and overlying said acutely bent portion, thereby to restrict the lateral movement of the elongated brush in said brush compartment while permitting adjustment relative to said working face.

6. In a suction tool a trough shaped body having a suction slot and an adjoining brush compartment, a pair of longitudinally spaced bosses in said brush compartment each having a central spring receiving recess and each being slotted to form a sliding guideway, an elongated brush having a rigid support portion carrying a row of projecting bristles, said rigid support portion inserted into said sliding guideways and engaged by the springs in said spring receiving recesses to be preloaded generally outwardly of the brush compartment, an adjusting screw on said body, a positioning member including a portion threadedly carried on said screw and a lever arm extending away from said portion, said lever arm having an acutely bent portion on its free end and further including oifset wings oppositely spaced on said bent portion, said elongated brush having at its center portion a clip securely fastened thereto, saidclip having a struck out rib extending upwardly and outwardly from said clip and terminating in an outer leg portion bent at an angle to be received between said wings and overlying said acutely bent portion, thereby to restrict the lateral movement of the elongated brush while permitting adjustment in said sliding guideways.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,238,903 Fisher Sept. 4, 1917 2,017,770 Replogle et a1. Dec. 15, 1935 2,128,525 Dyer Aug. 30, 1938 2,496,813 Peterson Feb. 7, 1950 2,635,279 Kelly Apr. 21, -3 2,682,682 Lewyt et a1. July 6, 1954 2,734,215 Wilson Feb. 14, 1956 

